Spirometry in a health care center: indications, results and quality.

Spirometry is important for the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases. Studies on the use of spirometry in health care centers are few and none in Iceland. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of spirometry in a single health care center in Iceland in regard to indications, quality and results. Patients evaluated at the Primary Care Clinic in Garethabaer during a 6 month period were included in the study. Information was collected about the spirometry, indications and treatment given. Spirometry was done by a physican or nurse. All spirometries were evaluated by a pulmonary specialist. The study was approved by the National bioethics committee and Data protection agency. During the study period 63 spirometries were done and majority of them were on the request of one physican. There were 19 males and 44 females and the age distribution was from 17 to 69 years of age. Smokers were 17/63, former smokers were 24 and 20 were non smokers. The most common indication for spirometry was cough in 37/63 and dyspnea in 20/63. No spirometry was done for history of smoking only. Twenty eight patients had abnormal lung auscultation. The quality of the spirometry was sufficient in 54/63. In 24/63 patients the spirometry was normal. Of those with abnormal spirometry 30 had obstruction, 3 had restriction and in 6/63 of cases the results were mixed. The study indicates that primary care physicians are underutilizing spirometry for diagnosis of lung diseases.